Google introduces new approval process for Android app developers

Google
introduces new updates to its Play Store policies that will affect every
Android developer and users. Android developers now have to wait for apps to be
approved by Google after they submit them to the Play Store, reports Mashable.

Google
introduces new updates to its Play Store policies that will affect every
Android developer and users. Android developers now have to wait for apps to be
approved by Google after they submit them to the Play Store, reports Mashable.

Previously,
Google didn’t have an approval process for new apps and only reviewed apps if
they were reported for violating its policies. The new measures have been in
effect for several months, Google said, assuring developers it hasn’t slowed
down the submission process.

Google is also introducing
a new age-based rating system for apps and games on Google Play, which will
help developers to better label their apps for the right audience. The change
will give developers an easy way to communicate familiar and locally relevant
content ratings to their users and help improve app discovery and engagement by
letting people choose content that is right for them.

To assist in
this effort and provide more transparency to developers, Google has also improved
the way they handle publishing status. Developers now have more insight into
why apps are rejected or suspended, and they can easily fix and resubmit their
apps for minor policy violations.

“We value
the rapid innovation and iteration that is unique to Google Play, and will
continue to help developers get their products to market within a matter of
hours after submission, rather than days or weeks,” Eunice Kim, Google’s Product
Manager, Google Play, wrote in a blog post. “In fact, there has been no
noticeable change for developers during the rollout.”

Beginning in
May, developers will be required to submit a questionnaire for all new and
existing apps so that Google can designate each app with a relevant rating. The
ratings will be based on standards set by international organizations like the
International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). Countries that don’t have an
official ratings organization will see generic ratings.

The
questionnaires are available to developers now and Google says apps “may
be blocked in certain territories or for specific users,” if developers
don’t submit them by May. Users will begin to see ratings on Google Play apps
“in the coming weeks.”